Africa Sky - Safari Guide

We have put together a quick guide explaining the difference between the various styles of accommodation, game parks and transportation that you will see on our website and will encounter on your safari.  Our information is impartial and we aim to provide accurate facts to help you make the right safari choice for you.

Transportation - Road and Air
Vehicles - 4 X 4
Accommodation - Lodge and Tented Camps
Safari Areas – National Parks and Private Conservancy

Transportation - Road and Air

We understand that every hour is important on your holiday and the majority of our safaris comprise a combination of road and air transfer between the world famous Game Parks of Africa. 

Air transfers allow you fly to some of the best wildlife areas in a shorter amount of time to drive, giving you the opportunity to spend longer viewing the wildlife.  Flights are in small, light aircraft planes, offering you another perspective of this amazing continent…from the sky. 
Once you arrive in the Game Park you will be met at the airstrip in a 4X4 vehicle to be transferred to your accommodation.

Alternatively we offer a selection of road safaris in comfortable 4X4 vehicles, usually to the National Parks that are close to the departure destination, or one of our ‘Explorer Camping’ safaris. 

Roads in Africa are unlike those you may be used too.  Many are rough terrain and without tarmac, therefore journeys by road can be bumpy hot & dusty.  We use only experienced drivers who are used to driving long journeys on this rough terrain and who will ensure that your experience is as comfortable as possible.

Back to top

Vehicles - 4 X 4

Africa Sky is committed to ensuring your safari is of top quality and that you receive the best experience possible while you travel with us.

For your comfort and safety we only work with safari camps and lodges that use 4X4 vehicles. 
The 4X4 vehicles have a roof hatch for game watching and are very spacious inside.  Conservancies may have adapted vehicles, such as customised open sides, for superior viewing.

All vehicles are managed by an experienced driver guide who will enhance you experience in the bush.  Our fully trained expert safari guides will assure you experience the best wildlife viewing.

A 4X4 vehicle is essential in many of the game parks especially in the rainy season.  The mini-bus style vehicle is not adapted for the rough terrain of the African bush land and is also cramped inside.  Our vehicles are better suited to the African landscape, and give a far better safari experience than travelling in the minibus vans with window only seats, that are widely used by other tour operators! Safaris in a minibus may be cheaper than a 4X4 vehicle but the experience will be vastly different.

Transfers from airport or base hotel to a safari destination may be in a mini-bus style vehicle as these are along existing roads, but once in the safari destination only 4X4 vehicles will be used.

Back to top

Accommodation - Lodge and Tented Camps

We aim to offer a variety of accommodation to provide as broad a range as possible for your safari experience.

We have categorised our properties as:

• A Lodge is a permanent structure that is open throughout the year.  Accommodation is usually in self contained rooms or bungalows and most lodges have a swimming pool for relaxation in between your game drives.  Lodges are usually located in National Parks.


• Tented Lodges are a blend of canvas tents combined with permanent structure, offering the adventure of camping with the facilities of a lodge.  Tented lodges are usually larger than bush camps and are open throughout the year.  A Tented lodge is a good choice if you want the different experience of sleeping in a tent with the facilities of a lodge.  Tented Lodges are usually located in National Parks.


• Bush Camps are becoming a more popular choice for safari visitors.  They can either be permanent or seasonal, depending on the location, and are usually more intimate than lodges; the more exclusive camps offering accommodation to 6 couples. 
  Guest tents are spacious with comfortable double beds, wardrobe space and private relaxing area outside.  The bathrooms have flush lavatories, running water and hot ‘safari’ showers (usually water is heated twice a day for bucket showers).   Electricity is usually restricted as is run off solar power or a generator, but is available first thing and at night. Bush Camps give you the ultimate ‘bush experience’ with the knowledge of being safe and secure out in the African wilds. Bush camps are usually eco aware, using solar power and restricted water and are located in conservancies or outside the National Parks.

Back to top

Safari Areas - National Parks and Private Conservancy

Africa boasts a large number of National Parks and Private Conservancies, which have been set aside for the conservation of wildlife and natural habitat. We highly recommend a stay in a conservancy to enjoy a real ‘wild’ safari experience.  You will have exclusive use of conservancy land, take part in a range of activities and learn about the local wildlife.

National Parks are usually run by the government. These Parks comply with strict regulations, such as times that you need to be back at your lodge/camp in the evening and no leaving or getting out of the vehicle once inside the Park. 
National Parks are usually well established and have good sign posting and roads, which are maintained on a regular basis. 
Game Wardens patrol the parks, ensuring that visitor safety and the animal’s welfare is paramount.
Animals are usually abundant and in many of the parks you are guaranteed to see the Big 5 (Lion, Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino).
Tourists are also plentiful in the National Parks and you will see other vehicles on your safari.  Our expert driver guides will direct you to areas of less tourist population.

Conservancy/Private Wildlife Reserves are areas of land that are owned privately or are leased from the local community.  They usually work in partnership with the local community and are committed to eco awareness and education. 

A stay in a conservancy or private wildlife reserve is a much more private and wild experience.  The number of other visitors on the land is restricted – usually to just the guests staying in the reserve.  The animals are usually wilder compared to the animals in the larger National Parks which are used to seeing humans and vehicles.  With the added advantage of night game drives and other activities you will also have an extra opportunity to see animals that you would not see while staying in the National Parks.

Conservancies usually involve the neighbouring community by employing the local people as camp staff or wardens and running community projects such as building schools or installing bore holes for fresh water or sponsoring a young boy through guiding school.
 
Conservancy/Private Wildlife Reserves reserves present greater flexibility to your safari experience as they are able to offer the following activities: walking, riding, sundowners, night game drives, bush camping and many more activities depending on your requirement or interests.

Back to top